Setting and Characters
Where does the majority of the story take place, and what is the significance of this setting?
The setting is outer space. This is significant for two reasons:
-Mitchell is the only human on his ship / separated from humanity
-Mitchell is physically removed from Earth, making it impossible to practice Anishinaable traditions.
What specific challenges does Mitchell face in maintaining his Native identity while in space?
- He is physically removed from Earth, making it impossible to do things like burn sage or play the drums.
-When he finds out that Papa Peter has died, he feels that a part of his Anishinaabe heritage has also died (he is only 1/4 Anishinaabe and feels like he cannot properly represent his people with his limited knowledge and limited resources).
-He has no one to relate to/with. As the only human up in space, he is alone with Mac, a robot.
How does technology both connect and disconnect Mitchell from his cultural roots in the story?
Connect: Archival video footage, drum music, digital preservation of cultural memories
Disconnect: Sterile environment, restrictions on rituals, isolation/lack of community
Explore the symbolism of the drum in Mitchell's grandfather's life and its representation in the story.
The drum in Mitchell's grandfather's life symbolizes cultural heritage, spirituality, and connection to the land. In the story, the drum represents a link to ancestral traditions, providing Mitchell with a sense of identity and continuity.
How can you relate Mitchell's experiences to your own perceptions or experiences?
Lost is Space mirrors challenges in balancing personal identity with academic demands.
Describe Mitchell's state of being at the beginning of the story and the unique circumstances surrounding him.
He is "mellowing out" in his hyperbaric chamber. He does this by manipulating the oxygen levels to put him in a half-awake, half-asleep state.
Provide one piece of philosophical wisdom or advice that Mitchell's grandfather imparts to him.
"Step up and represent"
Analyze the impact of Mac researching Mitchell's grandfather and its emotional implications for Mitchell.
Positive impact: Surprise, recognition, shared memories, humanized interactions. Negative impact: intrusion/violation, loss of control, unwanted emotions
Discuss the significance of Mitchell using headphones to listen to his grandfather's drum music in the context of space exploration.
Mitchell using headphones to listen to his grandfather's drum music in space symbolizes a personal and cultural connection, offering a solitary escape from the sterile environment of space exploration.
Discuss how Mitchell's isolation in space is portrayed in the story.
Mitchell's isolation in space is depicted through the sterile environment, limited recreational options, and his efforts to find solace, reflecting the psychological toll of space missions.
Provide details about the landscape Mitchell is surrounded by at the start of the story.
Mitchell is in a hyperbaric chamber on a small spaceship.
How does Mitchell attempt to incorporate his cultural practices into his space routine, and what challenges does he encounter?
He tried to bring his drum on the mission, but because of the noise restrictions, it was banned.
Explain the significance of Mitchell manipulating oxygen levels in the hyperbaric chamber and its connection to his mental state.
Mitchell is seeking an altered state, which suggests he is not happy with his present state; the irony is that Mitchell is already alone. Other answers: coping mechanism, limited recreational options, escape from space constraints, reflection of psychological struggles
Explain why Mitchell cannot burn sage in the hyperbaric chamber and the symbolic significance of this restriction.
Mitchell cannot burn sage in the hyperbaric chamber due to fire safety concerns. Symbolically, this restriction reflects the challenge of practicing cultural rituals in the controlled and artificial environment of space.
Reflect on the story's exploration of cultural identity and whether it sparks any reflections on your own cultural background.
The story's exploration of cultural identity prompts reflections on one's background, emphasizing the universal struggle to maintain cultural ties amid unfamiliar or restrictive environments.
Explain the purpose of the tethers attached to Mitchell's jumpsuit and their role in the setting.
Summarize the essence of Mitchell's grandfather's philosophy about being Anishinabe in space.
Mitchell's grandfather questions the authenticity of being a Native astronaut in space, expressing the challenge of preserving Anishinaabe identity when disconnected from the natural elements central to their culture.
Discuss the restrictions on Mitchell's use of the hand drum in space and the reasoning behind these restrictions.
Mitchell faces restrictions on using the hand drum in space due to potential damage to the spaceship's delicate instruments. The need for instrument preservation clashes with his cultural practices, emphasizing the challenges of cultural preservation in space.
Delve into the challenges Mitchell faces in honoring Father Sky and Mother Earth while in space.
Mitchell struggles to honor Father Sky and Mother Earth in space due to the absence of natural elements, disrupting his cultural practices.
Consider how Mitchell's challenges in practicing spiritual rituals in space might parallel or contrast with challenges in your own life.
Mitchell's challenges in practicing spiritual rituals in space might parallel struggles to maintain cultural or religious practices amid unconventional or restricted circumstances.
How does Mitchell describe the ship's computer, Mac, and what unique characteristic does he notice about Mac's voice?
He notices that Mac has a subtle Newfie accent.
Describe a specific moment in the story where Mitchell's cultural practices clash with the constraints of space travel.
- Drum
- Burning sage
- Dreamcatcher
What aspects of Mitchell's environment in space are mentioned as being "manufactured," and how does this impact his connection to nature?
Mitchell's space environment is described as "manufactured," including manufactured water, food, air, and even gravity. This artificial setting creates a stark contrast to his connection to nature, depriving him of the natural elements essential to his cultural identity and deepening the sense of disconnection from the land and traditional practices.
Describe the emotions Mitchell experiences as he watches the archival video of his grandfather's drum performance.
Mitchell experiences a mix of emotions—nostalgia, joy, and sorrow—as he watches the archival video of his grandfather's drum performance.
In what ways can Mitchell's journey through space be seen as a metaphor for personal or cultural exploration, and can you draw any parallels in your life?
Mitchell's journey through space serves as a metaphor for exploration, reflecting on cultural or personal identity. This narrative mirrors broader explorations into identity and heritage.